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Check out the number of views on these 2 TEDx videos. They were filmed at the same TEDx event (TEDxHouston) in the same year (2010). One went viral. The other definitely didn’t.

While 1 talk has had a total of 1,601 views in the last 7 or so years, the other has had 1,000 TIMES THAT AMOUNT (and ended up getting picked up by TED, where the same video got another 31 million views).

What the hell? Don’t all TED Talks go viral?

How did a talk get 32 million views and the other only get 1,600 from the SAME EVENT? And how can you ensure you don’t end up with a TED Talk that flops?

If you believe Brené Brown’s success was 100% luck, you should stop reading now. This article isn’t for you.

Instead, let’s look at the intentional things you can do to increase the chances your TED Talk will go viral and get you long-term results (paid speaking, book deals, consulting customers and more).

TED Talks speakers are famous. They’re eloquent. They have a ton of Twitter followers. They are amazing speakers, writers, coaches, entrepreneurs, story-tellers.

Right??

The truth is, there are some amazing TED Talks out there by people like Simon Sinek or Brené Brown. Some that go viral. These are the ones that stick in your mind. Some people assume that they have to be like that too.

There are also many by regular people that aren’t famous.

2.5 million views is pretty good for a non-famous speaker!

I know what you’re thinking — “but Ryan, it’s obviously better to have more followers or more qualifications than none, right?!”